Platinum snow

ABSTRACT

Platinum snow is described as a surface element forming a gliding surface for snow skiing and snowboarding. The surface is fluffy and slick. The process works medium-grain vermiculite (an inert mineral of the phyllio-silicate group) into the surface, such as geo-textile carpeting, Petromat or placed directly on the ground. Then, apply a fine-mist spray of water over the entire surface. Some uses (but not limited to) are of fine-nozzle misters, circulating sprinklers and soaker hoses. This action causes the vermiculite to embed into the surface forming a slick-surface element for gliding.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0001] It is the purpose and use of the present invention and process toeliminate some disadvantages of existing costly sliding surfaces. Thisincludes, but is not limited to artificial blown snow, expensiveartificial snow polymers, as well as unpredictable results, lack ofcontrol over, and high maintenance cost of natural falling snow. Thisdesign and use is a sliding surface that can be used year-round withoutmelting and approximates similarity to the characteristics of real snowat a cost advantage over other artificial sliding surfaces.

[0002] The present invention does not require freezing or very coldtemperatures or climate-controlled areas, structure of a building andcan be applied in areas of more temperate climates; therefore, allowingindividuals to participate in snow related sports who could not often,or otherwise, travel to colder climates to enjoy these sports. Thepresent invention would also allow Olympic teams to practice dailyyear-round on a surface requiring less costly maintenance.

FIELD OR SCOPE OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to creating a sliding surfacesuitable for skiing, snowboarding, sledding, transporting persons,materials or objects more quickly from a higher elevation to lowerground.

[0004] The method and use of the invention comprises a sliding surfacemade up of hydrated vermiculite (a phyllosilicate mineral) placed over asubstrate composing materials which show both soil drainage and erosionprevention, bound on both sides as needed for safety and hydration todecrease friction and improve sliding speed and ability of surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0005] Before explaining the present invention in detail, it is to beunderstood that the invention is not limited to the preferredembodiments contained herein. The invention is capable of otherembodiments and of being practiced or carried out in a variety of ways.It is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employedherein are for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

[0006] An embodiment of the present invention comprises a slidingsurface prepared having varying degrees of pitch and angles as seen inFIG. 1. A shallow depression is formed in the soil base (10) of a widthgenerally not less than 15 feet wide.

[0007] Depending on the condition of said soil base (10), it may benecessary to use an additional substance, such as sand (12) and/orgravel (12) to improve or assist with proper drainage of any excesshydration.

[0008] An optional secondary material product composed of geo-textilecarpet (14) may be used to secure the soil base, if the area is prone toerosion.

[0009] An optional safety fence (16) can now be placed along both sidesof the surface and of the geo-textile carpet (14) can be attached to thefence (16) for stability to anchor the carpet.

[0010] For this process, the vermiculite (a phyllosilicate mineral) (18)is now spread over the entire area approximately 1-6 inches in depth.

[0011] Once the vermiculite (18) is in place, the misters, sprinklers,soaker hoses (20) and/or other irrigation devices can be used to hydratethe vermiculite.

[0012] Participants begin at the top of the slope and slide down onskis, snowboards, sleds and/or other devices or apparatus for sport,recreation, adventure, escape, or other indicated need to move persons,objects, materials or anything to a lower elevations more efficientlyand quickly.

[0013] While the invention has been described with a certain degree ofparticularity, it is understood that the invention is not limited to theembodiments set forth herein for purposes of exemplification, but is tobe limited only by the scope of the attached claims or including thefull range of equivalency to which each element thereof is entitled.

SUMMARY

[0014] Platinum Snow is a sliding surface comprised of hydratedvermiculite and a wetting system to irrigate the vermiculite. Thewetting system comprises one or more misters, sprinklers, and/or soakerhoses. A restraining barrier can be placed near the sliding surfacecomprised of fencing or mesh material. The sliding surface is made byplacing hydrated vermiculite on a slope with or without substratematerial under the vermiculite for better drainage and/or erosioncontrol.

DRAWING DESCRIPTION

[0015]FIG. 1: Shows a perspective view of the invention.

[0016]FIG. 2: Shows a cut away view of the invention with point “A”designating view orientation.

[0017]FIG. 3: A condensed picture of various materials enhancing thefunction of hydrated vermiculite. This allows for proper drainage andprevents erosion.

[0018]FIG. 4: A method of irrigating the surface with misting foggersalong the surface borders.

[0019]FIG. 5: A method for creating a safe boundary to keep participantson the surface.

[0020] Drawing Reference Numerals Worksheet PART NAME  10 Soil base  12sand and/or gravel  14 geo-textile  16 safety fence  18 vermiculate  20irrigation devices  22 zip tie (12″)  24 plastic coated candle  26 steelT-post w/2″ PVC cover  28 PVC or supply hose  30  32  34  36  38  40  42 44  46  48  50  52  54  56  58  60  62  64  66  68  70  72  74  76  78 80  82  84  86  88  90  92  94  96  98 100 102 104 106 108 110 112 114116 118 120 122 124 126 128 130 132 134 136 138 140 142 144 146 148 150152 154 156

I claim:
 1. A sliding surface comprising: Hydrated vermiculite and awetting system to irrigate the vermiculite.
 2. The sliding surface ofclaim 1 wherein said wetting system comprises one or more spray misters.3. The sliding surface of claim 1 wherein said wetting system comprisesone or more sprinklers.
 4. The sliding surface of claim 1 wherein saidwetting system comprises one or more soaker hoses.
 5. The slidingsurface of claim 1 further comprising a restraining barriersubstantially near hydrated vermiculite.
 6. The sliding surface of claim5 wherein said restraining barrier comprises of fencing material.
 7. Thesliding surface of claim 5 wherein said restraining barrier comprises ofmesh material.
 8. The sliding surface of claim 1 further comprising oneor more substrate materials being in contact with said hydratedvermiculite.
 9. A method for creating a sliding surface comprising thesteps of: Placing hydrated vermiculite on a slope; and irrigating saidhydrated vermiculite by a wetting system.
 10. The method of creating asliding surface of claim 9 comprising placing one or more substrates onsaid slope and then placing said hydrated vermiculite on said one ormore substrates.